His lordship, the Rt Rev’d C E Ide, JP, the lord Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Warri today transferred Ven. Benson Ejedegba from St Barnabas, Urhuoka to St. John’s Church, Okpara inland as Vicar and Archdeacon. The Canon Dr Faith Aghe was transferred from St Peter’s Church, Igbudu Warri to St Barnabas, Urhuoka, as Vicar. The Revd Favour Esada was transferred from St James’ Church, Ojabugbe to St Peter’s Church, Igbudu Warri as Curate. This posting is with immediate effect.
This was done today at the retirement service of the VEN. JACOB OBOVWOGHO (AWOLOWO) LUYA who clocked 70years today.
The service started with a processing in hymn C.N.H. 397 at about 11.15 am with The Rt Rev’d Christian E. Ide, JP as the chief celebrant.
The Ven. Friday O. Ejemrae took the ante-communion; Ven. Jacob O. Luya took the O.T. Reading while Canon Dr Joseph J. Arowore took the Epistle with Rev. Andrew Atevure taking the gospel.
His lordship, Rt. Rev. John U. Aruakpor took the sermon. He took his text from Gal.6:9
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart
and 1Cor.15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
The topic of the sermon was ‘let us not grow weary in doing good”.
He started by telling the story of how the Ven. Jacob O. Luya was the architect to him answering the call into the ministry. He said that he had a dream that he was unable to interpret which Ven. Jacob Luya help to interpret and also encouraged him (Bishop John Aruakpor) to collect a form for ordination course while he (Jacob Luya) was attending a Catechist training. He said Jacob Luya did not mind if the Bishop becoming a priest mean a superior to him, and that singular act made him to become the harvest of the seed he once sowed. He them advised ministers to always use the opportunity they have to help others to discover their gifts and become the harvest of their seed sowed. He concluded with fundraising in which many were touched and donated handsomely to support the retiring Cleric.
This was closely followed with the book launch which the retiring Ven. Luya wrote.
The holy communion service was closed with a processing out Hymn C.N.H.418.
Faithful God. God bless Anglican Diocese of Warri, God bless Our lord Bishop.
It was here I know why the intending accountant Bishop J.U Aruakpor disappeared while we were together in Genius international business school upper SAKPOBA Benin City. God doesn’t make mistakes to Him be praised. Cudos to our Bishop, Rt Rev C. E. Ide JP, DIOCESE OF WARRI ANG. COMMUNION for the recent transferred priests. To God be the glory honour power and majesty.
Congratulations to papa Luya for a meritorious retirement service. And congratulations to the new vicar the Ven. Benson Ejedegba. Thanks to baba Bishop for his wealth of wisdom in piloting the affairs of the Diocese of Warri.